TAO had the picnic basket in one hand and Sungmin's hand in the other. This was a big day for them. EXO was going to share their spot with SUJU and their family. It was the school festival and they had decided that it was the best time for SUJU to come back home as a whole. They performed during the SMUNI school concert. Tickets sold like hotcakes. It was the first time the alumni performers would hold a concert. Siwon and Heechul's Korean fans alone made up most of the visitors. SM Uni became the hottest place to be that night. Sungmin performed with his brothers and was happy to spend the day with him after all that excitement.

"I wondered why you guys didn't all get signed up by an entertainment company. You would have taken the world by storm." Tao mentioned, Sungmin stopped and faced him when he said that.

"We did. But we didn't want that kind of life. Some of us wanted to just do music for a time and lead a very different life than what Siwon and the others had to. Most of them went into modeling and did the actor bit for a while but they saw how difficult it was for Siwon to have a personal life away from the limelight. And there was that thing where Heechul had to give up his girlfriend just to make it in the big leagues. But things are better as they are. We have work and we do music in our own way. I teach the others to compose or are in media as well but not as performers." Sungmin used the simplest way to explain it. "How about EXO, how come you guys never did the whole pro thing?"

"We almost did. But even when we were just performing as a dance group there were ssaeng fans. So we opted out. I dunno about the others but I am thinking of going into teaching as well when I am done. I think being a professor might just be something I would be good at. I would have to deal with that once I am done with undergrad school." Tao didn't feel much like a freshman. Having Sungmin with him these past months made him more serious about his education and his plans.

"So would you be teaching in China or in Korea?" he heard the concern in his beloved's voice. "I mean..."

"I am hoping to find something here. But if I can't then we'll have to deal with it when that happens." He held Sungmin closer to him. "But one thing is for sure, you are going with me if I have to leave. I am not letting some cute freshman take you from me."

"Is that a fact?" Sungmin was cute when he pouts.

"De, gyo-soh-nim." Tao kissed him then to seal the deal.

"Get a room, you two." They broke contact when they heard someone call out to them. It was Kyuhyun and Heechul walking towards them.

"Party-pooper." Tao teased Kyu.

"Looks like you kept your promise." Heechul was still tensed around Tao but he looked like he mellowed down a bit. Must be love that is making him less abrasive.

"My friends are in love with him too so there's more people watching my every move around him." He looked over at the area where his EXO friends were at. "Not that there is ever a need for that. It's Sungmin who's too popular."

"Well, I am glad that is no longer my problem." Kyu laughed.

"Ya, you make it sound like I am a player." Sungmin pouted again.

"No, sarang. It's just that there are so many who love the aegyo side and the wushu side. And it pretty much covers all the bases when it comes to biases. But I am confident that no one else would take your fancy as long as I make sure to stare them down." Tao kissed Sungmin's hand this time.

"They are sickening, aren't they?" Kyu mentioned to Heechul who laughed.

"You're just jealous because you are still looking for your happiness while the rest of us are already paired up." Heechul welcomed his beautiful girlfriend into his arms.

"Ugh. Don't get me started on that. Donghae keeps trying to set me up with his friends and Eunhyuk is no better." Kyu pressed on his temples. "It wouldn't hurt if those they sent over weren't so macho gay. I would go like, No, I don't know how many I bench press. It's ridiculous."

Tao felt good that they were able to talk like this now. It took the pressure off Sungmin when Kyu was being so casual about it. It's been months since they've seen each other. But things were smooth-sailing and he was glad that Sungmin had gradually stopped worrying about causing Kyu so much grief.

"Well. I have someone you might want to meet. But I guess you are not into set-ups. So I better back down." Sungmin tried to smile.

"That would be a bit weird. My ex helping me meet someone new. I think I would just go scout for someone myself." Kyu teased Sungmin.

"Suit yourself. I guess we have to tell Sehun that you are not interested." Tao knew that their maknae had developed a crush on Kyu's talent. But it seems like he'd just have to settle on being a fan of the guy.

"You mean EXO's maknae? Isn't he jailbait young?" Heechul asked.

"Nope. And besides. Age is just a number." Tao said matter of fact.

"Maybe for your love birds but not for me. I don't plan to teach any tricks to a kid." Kyu muttered.

"Believe me, that one is a pretty sly one. I don't think he's that innocent though he is the youngest in EXO." Sungmin had gotten close to the members of Tao's group and so far the one with the most partners he's heard of was Sehun. "He plays for both teams. So that might be new for you."

"Nah. Too much of the jealous type. I don't think that would sit well with me." Kyu shook his head.

"But you are open to the idea of a date, right?" Sungmin was insisting now.

"No. Not at all. Unless he asks me himself. I think he is not inclined to do. Since you are the one doing the asking."

"Well, he asked me if you were seeing anyone and I said that you were looking for love, not a playmate." Tao butt in.

"You lovebirds should mind your own love lives. I will find my..." Kyu lost the rest of his sentence when Sehun walked towards them with the rest of EXO. "Damn..."

"Hyungs!" Sehun greeted them then stopped when he saw Kyu's shirt. "Whoa."

Tao and Sungmin looked at each other and had to laugh. Kyu was wearing the same shirt only it was white and blue. Sehun wore the same shirt design in black and orange.

"Where did you get that?" Kyu and Sehun said at the same time.

HEECHUL laughed then winked at Sungmin. They'd given those shirts to those guys. Who would have thought they'd wear it at the same time?

Must be fate.

Sungmin looked at Tao and didn't doubt for a second that this ship might sail sooner than they realize it.

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Story originally finished : September 28, 2013

I hope you liked this story. Leave me a comment if you liked it or tell me what you thought of it. It's an old story that I started before the groups' issues. So I hope that fans of the groups would like it either way.